Breathe In Union
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 24
The student parking lot at Forks High buzzed with typical morning activity as knots of students loitered and exchanged the latest juicy tidbits before beginning their day.
As usual, all heads turned with the arrival of a sleek, silver Volvo, and a shiny, black Hummer, the occupants of which were always a source of interest and curiosity to the bored population of Forks, WA.
They were all so…different, after all.
Sidelong looks, whispers exchanged behind concealing hands, and even some sneered comments could be observed as the ethereally beautiful, but aloof teens exited the cars.
"Just look at her," a girl named Jessica spat to her closest cohort; a girl named Lauren. "What the hell does he see in her? I mean, she's so…plain!"
Lauren curled her lip and nodded while eyeing the subject of her friends disdain; the only average looking one of the Cullen's tight-knit group; Angela Weber. With an absent adjustment of her amply displayed bust, she switched her attention to the male of the pair as she licked her hot-pink lips. "You're right, Jess." She smirked. "Maybe she gives good head."
Jessica snickered while rolling on another layer of sticky lip-gloss. "Probably. It's the only explanation. She certainly has no other assets to speak of."
The sounds of a motorcycle caught their attention and they watched as it pulled to the curb where a curvy brunette hopped off the back. Said brunette laughed and handed the helmet to the muscled, raven-haired driver as she shook out her curls.
"Oh look," Lauren sniped. "It's Plain Jane's bestie and resident Rez whore, Isabella Swan." She looked at Jessica whose gaze was locked on the Quileute boy on the bike.
"Yeah," Jessica breathed in a daze. "Isn't he gorgeous?"
Lauren's jaw dropped. "Oh my god… You like the Rez guy!"
Jessica snapped out of it and glanced at her friend. "What?! No! I love Mike, you know this," she sniffed.
"Whatever you say, love," she muttered with a smirk.
They watched as the bike pulled out, the driver giving a lazy wave as Bella called out, "See ya later Jake!"
She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked right by the two gossiping girls. "Morning Jessica, Lauren," she greeted with a smirk.
She knew perfectly well what the girls who were eyeing her were like, not that she really cared. Catty girls were a fact of life, especially in high school and she'd learned to ignore them with a smile and her head held high.
"Bella!"
The sound of her friend's voice caught her attention and she waved and veered over to where the Cullen's were gathered. "Hey guys, hey Ang," she greeted with a quick hug for her best friend.
"You're in for it now Bella," Edward said with a smirk as he wrapped his arms around Angela and pulled her to his chest.
Bella rolled her eyes. "I'll shower the scent off before he gets home from work Edward, just as I do every day."
"Aw, that's too bad," he said with a snicker and Angela pulled away and glared at her boyfriend.
"Could you at least try here Edward? This is hard enough on Bella and Paul as it is and your childishness is getting old."
He looked like he'd sucked a lemon as he stuffed his hands in his pants pockets. "I have to put up with her smelling like a…"
Jasper smacked him on the back of his head. "Stow it," he ordered. "You're even gettin' on my nerves, and that's sayin' somethin'."
Rose chuckled and Emmett smirked, drawing a dirty look from the mind reader as Bella smiled at the tall Texan. "Thanks Jas."
He inclined his head with a smirk. "My pleasure, darlin'."
"So Bella," Alice chirped. "How was the wedding? Was it beautiful?"
Bella smiled softly. "It was gorgeous, Alice. Thanks for the heads up on the weather. The day was perfect and the sunset as a back-drop? I can't wait to see the finished photos."
"Aw, you're welcome! And I'd love to see the pics when you get them."
At the warning bell, they all began walking toward the entrance. Bella smirked. "That'll have to be after Charlie and Lisa get back from their honeymoon. I don't dare touch them before then."
Alice kissed Jasper on the cheek and took Bella's arm as they veered off from the group in the direction of their first class. "They've been gone for a week now, right?"
"Yep. They're due back this weekend."
Alice glanced at Bella. "And how are you and Paul doing?"
Bella shrugged a shoulder. "It was rough for a couple of days after I told him where I'd be going to school, but he's over it now—for the most part," she hedged.
Alice's brows rose. "Really?"
Bella glanced at a dubious looking Alice. "Well, I kind-of agreed to speed up the graduation process."
"Which means you'll be done by…?"
"By winter break."
Alice was about to comment when Bella took off toward the girls bathroom, practically running over two girls who were just walking out.
"Bella?!" Alice glanced around and hurried to follow just in time to hear Bella heaving into a toilet. "Bella? You okay?"
More sounds of vomiting answered her question well enough and she laid her hand against the stall door in worry. "Bella? Do I need to call someone?" Awful sounds of dry-heaving were her only answer and she wrung her hands. "Oh god, I suck at this human stuff…" she muttered while pacing.
A flush sounded and Bella walked out of the stall and over to the sink, where she rinsed her mouth and splashed cold water on her face. She looked at Alice through the mirror while patting her face dry. "For future reference Ali, it's kinda tough to answer questions in the midst of vomiting one's shoes, laces and all."
Alice looked perplexed as she glanced at Bella's feet, clean shoes firmly affixed.
"It's just an expression, Ali," she said with a smirk.
Alice rolled her eyes. "Well, are you sick? I mean, like sick, sick? Do I need to get you to Carlisle?"
Bella turned and leaned against the sink, her shoulders slumping as the final bell rang. "No," she muttered while staring at the floor. "Gods help me, but I think this is the type of ailment that'll clear up in another eight months or so."
"What?!" she yelled. "No. You think you're…"
Bella clapped a hand over the vampire's mouth. "Shh! It'd be nice if the whole school population didn't know Alice!"
Alice looked contrite. "Sorry. I just…it's a surprise, ya know?"
"You don't say…" Bella said dryly.
Alice leaned against the sinks, her expression of shock slowly morphing into a wide grin. "A baby?" she murmured as she glanced at her human friend.
A tear rolled down Bella's cheek. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure…and I'm scared Ali."
Alice grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. "Oh Bella, don't cry…"
Bella swiped at the traitorous tears and did her best to put on a brave face.
"Does Paul know?" Alice questioned gently.
Bella shook her head. "No." She chuckled darkly. "Hell, I don't even know for sure. I mean, I was on the shot, ya know? It's supposed to be the best!"
She began pacing and Alice watched quietly. "You should have seen his reaction when having a baby was mentioned to him once. He was terrified; terrified of being a father." She stopped and looked at Alice. "He's had to deal with so much in his life Alice, and now I have to tell him this?!" She tugged at her hair and hunched in on herself. "Oh god, war is coming, and I have to…"
Alice took Bella's hands in hers and shushed her. "Take some breaths sweetie and let's think about this. The first thing you need to do is take a test. There's no sense in even talking about this until you know for sure, right? I mean, you might be freaking for nothing, right?"
Bella swiped at another tear and nodded. "You're right. I have to know and until I do, I'll try not to lose my shit."
Alice pulled her into a hug. "I'm here for you, Bella."
~o0o~
Outside, crouched by the vent in the bottom half of the girls bathroom door, a wide-eyed Jessica Stanley whispered, "Oh my god," before running off to class. Yeah, she'd be late, but that bit of gossip gold was worth it. 'Just wait 'till Lauren hears this!' she thought with glee.
Inside, the vampire holding her distraught friend in a hug, heard the whisper and running steps and closed her eyes. 'Shit,' she thought. 'Why didn't I see or hear that hussy 'till it was too late?!' Gently rubbing Bella's back, she debated telling her about it but dismissed it. 'It'll just add to her stress,' she thought. Then she smirked. 'I'll just have to head those bitches off before they run their mouths. I'll get Rose to help.' Satisfied with the vision of that decision, she pulled back to look at her friend. "Better now?" she asked.
Bella nodded and hefted her discarded bag over her shoulder. "Yeah," she answered with a sigh. "Let's get to class. I still have two days until I'm eighteen so I can't ditch legally yet." She shot Alice a smirk.
"There's the Bella I'm used to," she said with a grin. "Now, let's do this."
~o0o~
"Seth! Stop whining for fuck's sake!"
"But it hurts!"
"I'm gonna show you hurt if you don't shut the fuck up and take it!"
Paul rubbed his forehead and glanced at Sam who shook his head. They were sitting on the porch outside, listening as the two newest pack members argued back and forth while the younger got his pack tattoo. He was the last of the day and the most vocal.
Jared sighed. "She was your girl for a while there Sam. Is she always gonna be bitchy like this?"
Sam leveled Jared with a flat look. "Probably."
Jared leaned back and thumped his head against the wall, snickering. "Bet her crotch is a steel trap. I'm surprised you have a dick left."
Before he could blink, Sam had him pinned with a hand at his throat, his teeth bared. "Never speak about her like that again." He shoved and Jared's head slammed against the wall. "Got me?"
Jared dropped his gaze and choked out, "Yes Alpha."
Sam dropped him. "I'm going to relieve Rudy," he grumbled before jumping off the porch and jogging into the tree-line.
Paul glanced up through his lashes and smirked at a whipped looking Jared. "Way to go, fucking moron."
Jared flipped him the bird while rubbing his neck. "I had no idea he'd be so touchy. I mean, shit, he has Emily to be all protective over, so what the fuck?"
Jacob watched all of this with raised brows. "You're one of his best friends! You know they were planning to marry before the whole wolf thing. You think he's just gonna stop loving her overnight?" He shook his head. "Idiot."
The screen door slammed open and Leah stormed out, looking beyond pissed. "I can hear you, you know…assholes," she growled before stalking toward the trees where she stood with her back to them.
Jared sighed. "Sorry Leah," he mumbled. She turned her head just enough to acknowledge she'd heard him.
Jacob stood and glanced warily at Paul. "I need to go. I'll, uh, be back in a bit."
He walked to his bike and started it up while shrugging into his leather jacket. When he'd kicked up the stand and pulled out, Jared glanced at Paul. "He going to pick up Bella?"
A muscle jumped in Paul's jaw. "Yes."
Jared, noticing how tense Paul was, decided to shut his mouth. He'd had his fill of pissed off Alphas in his face, and if he were to be honest, he was more afraid of Paul than Sam any day. Sam was a badass…Paul was a scary motherfucker.
He knew enough about the situation to understand why Paul was touchy though. Sam had told him how Charlie (the only man Paul listened to or respected) had sat Paul down for a virtual come-to-jesus meeting after he'd heard about Paul's tantrum over Bella's choice of high school.
Out of that ass-chewing session, it was decided Jacob would take Bella to and from school since Paul didn't want her making the drive alone and Charlie didn't trust Paul not to lose his shit around the Cullens. Jacob was happy since it meant missing zero period and access to the Chief's gas credit card. Jared glanced at Paul's tense form again. Yeah, he was pretty sure Jacob was the only one thrilled with the arrangement.
A thump on the porch caught his attention and he turned to see Rudy flopping down next to Paul. "S'up," he said while glancing between them. Rudy's brows rose as Paul merely grunted a greeting, and he looked over at Jared who shrugged and shook his head.
Rudy nodded and leaned back against the wall. "Paul, bro, ya gotta let this shit go. You walk around like someone pissed in your cheerios all the time and Bella or Charlie is gonna take another piece of your ass for it." He leaned forward and looked straight at his sullen brother. "Any of this sinkin' in?"
Paul blew out a breath and scrubbed over his face with both hands. "Yeah man," he admitted. "I hear ya."
Rudy nodded and sat back. "Good," he muttered. "It's B's birthday in two days. What are the plans?"
Paul looked over at him and smiled for the first time in days. "I'm taking her to Seattle."
"Yeah? I think she'll like that. What'd you get her?"
Paul reached in his jeans pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box which he handed to his brother. Rudy's brows shot up. "Is this what I think it is?"
Paul rolled his eyes. "Open it and find out."
Rudy flipped back the lid. "Fuck…it is."
Jared leaned over Rudy's shoulder. "Shit, for real?"
Paul raised a brow and smirked at the two speechless shifters. "Yes…for real."
Jared grinned. "You think she'll say yes?"
The two watched as Paul paled and ran a hand through his hair. "That's the million dollar question, isn't it?" He looked off into the trees. "I've been kind-of a dick lately…"
Rudy snorted. "Kind-of? No Bro, you've been a certifiable dick lately."
Jared's brows shot up. "Oooh, burn," he muttered with a chuckle.
"Fuck you Cameron," Paul grumbled.
Rudy patted his brother's shoulder. "Fortunately for you, Bella rocks." He met Paul's worried gaze. "The girl loves you man. I've never seen someone so in love, so get your head together and make her happy. All the rest of this shit? The shifting, the vampires…just background noise, bro—not important, especially when you consider you both have your whole lives ahead of you."
Paul leaned his head back against the wall and scoffed. "Pretty words, man, and I'd love to believe them, but with this war coming…" he looked over at his brother and Jared, "I just don't know. How can I make promises and plan a future when I'm not sure I'll live to see any of it through?"
They all looked up when Leah turned and spoke directly to Paul, voice strong, fists clenched and her eyes shining with unshed tears. "It's all a risk, don't you see? Life is a risk, not just for us but for everyone. If you play it safe all the time, are you really living? The real question is; do you have the balls enough…do you love her enough to say 'fuck it' and take it?"
Her gaze moved to the other two shifters and her breath hitched, her eyes wide as they locked on Rudy. Paul's brow furrowed as he watched her for a beat and then he looked at his brother. "Shit," he whispered. Rudy looked like he'd been hit with a brick, dazed as he was. Paul arched a brow and caught Jared's attention, whose mouth was hanging open before he closed it just as his brows shot up.
Leah covered her mouth with a hand and smothered a sob as she shook her head slowly. "I—I can't," she choked. "I'm sorry—I just—can't." With that, she turned and ran.
Jared brought Rudy out of his stupor with a solid pat to the shoulder. "Well man, looks like you have your work cut out for you."
The screen door banged open and a frowning Seth shuffled out, his t-shirt sleeve rolled up off of his brand new, greased up tribal tattoo. "What the hell just happened?" He looked at the three speechless males. "What'd you guys do to my sister?"
Paul sighed and bumped the back of his head against the wall a couple of times before answering. "Your sister and my brother just…imprinted on each other; at least I think that's what happened. She didn't seem happy about it though." He glanced at his brother. "Sorry bro."
Rudy smiled bitterly. "It is what it is…"
Seth's eyes were wide. "Shit. That's like…permanent, right? That's what my dad said anyway." He shook his head and looked in the direction his sister had disappeared in. "Shit," he muttered again.
Paul turned his head and looked at the kid. "Exactly."
The student parking lot at Forks High buzzed with typical morning activity as knots of students loitered and exchanged the latest juicy tidbits before beginning their day.
As usual, all heads turned with the arrival of a sleek, silver Volvo, and a shiny, black Hummer, the occupants of which were always a source of interest and curiosity to the bored population of Forks, WA.
They were all so…different, after all.
Sidelong looks, whispers exchanged behind concealing hands, and even some sneered comments could be observed as the ethereally beautiful, but aloof teens exited the cars.
"Just look at her," a girl named Jessica spat to her closest cohort; a girl named Lauren. "What the hell does he see in her? I mean, she's so…plain!"
Lauren curled her lip and nodded while eyeing the subject of her friends disdain; the only average looking one of the Cullen's tight-knit group; Angela Weber. With an absent adjustment of her amply displayed bust, she switched her attention to the male of the pair as she licked her hot-pink lips. "You're right, Jess." She smirked. "Maybe she gives good head."
Jessica snickered while rolling on another layer of sticky lip-gloss. "Probably. It's the only explanation. She certainly has no other assets to speak of."
The sounds of a motorcycle caught their attention and they watched as it pulled to the curb where a curvy brunette hopped off the back. Said brunette laughed and handed the helmet to the muscled, raven-haired driver as she shook out her curls.
"Oh look," Lauren sniped. "It's Plain Jane's bestie and resident Rez whore, Isabella Swan." She looked at Jessica whose gaze was locked on the Quileute boy on the bike.
"Yeah," Jessica breathed in a daze. "Isn't he gorgeous?"
Lauren's jaw dropped. "Oh my god… You like the Rez guy!"
Jessica snapped out of it and glanced at her friend. "What?! No! I love Mike, you know this," she sniffed.
"Whatever you say, love," she muttered with a smirk.
They watched as the bike pulled out, the driver giving a lazy wave as Bella called out, "See ya later Jake!"
She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked right by the two gossiping girls. "Morning Jessica, Lauren," she greeted with a smirk.
She knew perfectly well what the girls who were eyeing her were like, not that she really cared. Catty girls were a fact of life, especially in high school and she'd learned to ignore them with a smile and her head held high.
"Bella!"
The sound of her friend's voice caught her attention and she waved and veered over to where the Cullen's were gathered. "Hey guys, hey Ang," she greeted with a quick hug for her best friend.
"You're in for it now Bella," Edward said with a smirk as he wrapped his arms around Angela and pulled her to his chest.
Bella rolled her eyes. "I'll shower the scent off before he gets home from work Edward, just as I do every day."
"Aw, that's too bad," he said with a snicker and Angela pulled away and glared at her boyfriend.
"Could you at least try here Edward? This is hard enough on Bella and Paul as it is and your childishness is getting old."
He looked like he'd sucked a lemon as he stuffed his hands in his pants pockets. "I have to put up with her smelling like a…"
Jasper smacked him on the back of his head. "Stow it," he ordered. "You're even gettin' on my nerves, and that's sayin' somethin'."
Rose chuckled and Emmett smirked, drawing a dirty look from the mind reader as Bella smiled at the tall Texan. "Thanks Jas."
He inclined his head with a smirk. "My pleasure, darlin'."
"So Bella," Alice chirped. "How was the wedding? Was it beautiful?"
Bella smiled softly. "It was gorgeous, Alice. Thanks for the heads up on the weather. The day was perfect and the sunset as a back-drop? I can't wait to see the finished photos."
"Aw, you're welcome! And I'd love to see the pics when you get them."
At the warning bell, they all began walking toward the entrance. Bella smirked. "That'll have to be after Charlie and Lisa get back from their honeymoon. I don't dare touch them before then."
Alice kissed Jasper on the cheek and took Bella's arm as they veered off from the group in the direction of their first class. "They've been gone for a week now, right?"
"Yep. They're due back this weekend."
Alice glanced at Bella. "And how are you and Paul doing?"
Bella shrugged a shoulder. "It was rough for a couple of days after I told him where I'd be going to school, but he's over it now—for the most part," she hedged.
Alice's brows rose. "Really?"
Bella glanced at a dubious looking Alice. "Well, I kind-of agreed to speed up the graduation process."
"Which means you'll be done by…?"
"By winter break."
Alice was about to comment when Bella took off toward the girls bathroom, practically running over two girls who were just walking out.
"Bella?!" Alice glanced around and hurried to follow just in time to hear Bella heaving into a toilet. "Bella? You okay?"
More sounds of vomiting answered her question well enough and she laid her hand against the stall door in worry. "Bella? Do I need to call someone?" Awful sounds of dry-heaving were her only answer and she wrung her hands. "Oh god, I suck at this human stuff…" she muttered while pacing.
A flush sounded and Bella walked out of the stall and over to the sink, where she rinsed her mouth and splashed cold water on her face. She looked at Alice through the mirror while patting her face dry. "For future reference Ali, it's kinda tough to answer questions in the midst of vomiting one's shoes, laces and all."
Alice looked perplexed as she glanced at Bella's feet, clean shoes firmly affixed.
"It's just an expression, Ali," she said with a smirk.
Alice rolled her eyes. "Well, are you sick? I mean, like sick, sick? Do I need to get you to Carlisle?"
Bella turned and leaned against the sink, her shoulders slumping as the final bell rang. "No," she muttered while staring at the floor. "Gods help me, but I think this is the type of ailment that'll clear up in another eight months or so."
"What?!" she yelled. "No. You think you're…"
Bella clapped a hand over the vampire's mouth. "Shh! It'd be nice if the whole school population didn't know Alice!"
Alice looked contrite. "Sorry. I just…it's a surprise, ya know?"
"You don't say…" Bella said dryly.
Alice leaned against the sinks, her expression of shock slowly morphing into a wide grin. "A baby?" she murmured as she glanced at her human friend.
A tear rolled down Bella's cheek. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure…and I'm scared Ali."
Alice grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. "Oh Bella, don't cry…"
Bella swiped at the traitorous tears and did her best to put on a brave face.
"Does Paul know?" Alice questioned gently.
Bella shook her head. "No." She chuckled darkly. "Hell, I don't even know for sure. I mean, I was on the shot, ya know? It's supposed to be the best!"
She began pacing and Alice watched quietly. "You should have seen his reaction when having a baby was mentioned to him once. He was terrified; terrified of being a father." She stopped and looked at Alice. "He's had to deal with so much in his life Alice, and now I have to tell him this?!" She tugged at her hair and hunched in on herself. "Oh god, war is coming, and I have to…"
Alice took Bella's hands in hers and shushed her. "Take some breaths sweetie and let's think about this. The first thing you need to do is take a test. There's no sense in even talking about this until you know for sure, right? I mean, you might be freaking for nothing, right?"
Bella swiped at another tear and nodded. "You're right. I have to know and until I do, I'll try not to lose my shit."
Alice pulled her into a hug. "I'm here for you, Bella."
~o0o~
Outside, crouched by the vent in the bottom half of the girls bathroom door, a wide-eyed Jessica Stanley whispered, "Oh my god," before running off to class. Yeah, she'd be late, but that bit of gossip gold was worth it. 'Just wait 'till Lauren hears this!' she thought with glee.
Inside, the vampire holding her distraught friend in a hug, heard the whisper and running steps and closed her eyes. 'Shit,' she thought. 'Why didn't I see or hear that hussy 'till it was too late?!' Gently rubbing Bella's back, she debated telling her about it but dismissed it. 'It'll just add to her stress,' she thought. Then she smirked. 'I'll just have to head those bitches off before they run their mouths. I'll get Rose to help.' Satisfied with the vision of that decision, she pulled back to look at her friend. "Better now?" she asked.
Bella nodded and hefted her discarded bag over her shoulder. "Yeah," she answered with a sigh. "Let's get to class. I still have two days until I'm eighteen so I can't ditch legally yet." She shot Alice a smirk.
"There's the Bella I'm used to," she said with a grin. "Now, let's do this."
~o0o~
"Seth! Stop whining for fuck's sake!"
"But it hurts!"
"I'm gonna show you hurt if you don't shut the fuck up and take it!"
Paul rubbed his forehead and glanced at Sam who shook his head. They were sitting on the porch outside, listening as the two newest pack members argued back and forth while the younger got his pack tattoo. He was the last of the day and the most vocal.
Jared sighed. "She was your girl for a while there Sam. Is she always gonna be bitchy like this?"
Sam leveled Jared with a flat look. "Probably."
Jared leaned back and thumped his head against the wall, snickering. "Bet her crotch is a steel trap. I'm surprised you have a dick left."
Before he could blink, Sam had him pinned with a hand at his throat, his teeth bared. "Never speak about her like that again." He shoved and Jared's head slammed against the wall. "Got me?"
Jared dropped his gaze and choked out, "Yes Alpha."
Sam dropped him. "I'm going to relieve Rudy," he grumbled before jumping off the porch and jogging into the tree-line.
Paul glanced up through his lashes and smirked at a whipped looking Jared. "Way to go, fucking moron."
Jared flipped him the bird while rubbing his neck. "I had no idea he'd be so touchy. I mean, shit, he has Emily to be all protective over, so what the fuck?"
Jacob watched all of this with raised brows. "You're one of his best friends! You know they were planning to marry before the whole wolf thing. You think he's just gonna stop loving her overnight?" He shook his head. "Idiot."
The screen door slammed open and Leah stormed out, looking beyond pissed. "I can hear you, you know…assholes," she growled before stalking toward the trees where she stood with her back to them.
Jared sighed. "Sorry Leah," he mumbled. She turned her head just enough to acknowledge she'd heard him.
Jacob stood and glanced warily at Paul. "I need to go. I'll, uh, be back in a bit."
He walked to his bike and started it up while shrugging into his leather jacket. When he'd kicked up the stand and pulled out, Jared glanced at Paul. "He going to pick up Bella?"
A muscle jumped in Paul's jaw. "Yes."
Jared, noticing how tense Paul was, decided to shut his mouth. He'd had his fill of pissed off Alphas in his face, and if he were to be honest, he was more afraid of Paul than Sam any day. Sam was a badass…Paul was a scary motherfucker.
He knew enough about the situation to understand why Paul was touchy though. Sam had told him how Charlie (the only man Paul listened to or respected) had sat Paul down for a virtual come-to-jesus meeting after he'd heard about Paul's tantrum over Bella's choice of high school.
Out of that ass-chewing session, it was decided Jacob would take Bella to and from school since Paul didn't want her making the drive alone and Charlie didn't trust Paul not to lose his shit around the Cullens. Jacob was happy since it meant missing zero period and access to the Chief's gas credit card. Jared glanced at Paul's tense form again. Yeah, he was pretty sure Jacob was the only one thrilled with the arrangement.
A thump on the porch caught his attention and he turned to see Rudy flopping down next to Paul. "S'up," he said while glancing between them. Rudy's brows rose as Paul merely grunted a greeting, and he looked over at Jared who shrugged and shook his head.
Rudy nodded and leaned back against the wall. "Paul, bro, ya gotta let this shit go. You walk around like someone pissed in your cheerios all the time and Bella or Charlie is gonna take another piece of your ass for it." He leaned forward and looked straight at his sullen brother. "Any of this sinkin' in?"
Paul blew out a breath and scrubbed over his face with both hands. "Yeah man," he admitted. "I hear ya."
Rudy nodded and sat back. "Good," he muttered. "It's B's birthday in two days. What are the plans?"
Paul looked over at him and smiled for the first time in days. "I'm taking her to Seattle."
"Yeah? I think she'll like that. What'd you get her?"
Paul reached in his jeans pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box which he handed to his brother. Rudy's brows shot up. "Is this what I think it is?"
Paul rolled his eyes. "Open it and find out."
Rudy flipped back the lid. "Fuck…it is."
Jared leaned over Rudy's shoulder. "Shit, for real?"
Paul raised a brow and smirked at the two speechless shifters. "Yes…for real."
Jared grinned. "You think she'll say yes?"
The two watched as Paul paled and ran a hand through his hair. "That's the million dollar question, isn't it?" He looked off into the trees. "I've been kind-of a dick lately…"
Rudy snorted. "Kind-of? No Bro, you've been a certifiable dick lately."
Jared's brows shot up. "Oooh, burn," he muttered with a chuckle.
"Fuck you Cameron," Paul grumbled.
Rudy patted his brother's shoulder. "Fortunately for you, Bella rocks." He met Paul's worried gaze. "The girl loves you man. I've never seen someone so in love, so get your head together and make her happy. All the rest of this shit? The shifting, the vampires…just background noise, bro—not important, especially when you consider you both have your whole lives ahead of you."
Paul leaned his head back against the wall and scoffed. "Pretty words, man, and I'd love to believe them, but with this war coming…" he looked over at his brother and Jared, "I just don't know. How can I make promises and plan a future when I'm not sure I'll live to see any of it through?"
They all looked up when Leah turned and spoke directly to Paul, voice strong, fists clenched and her eyes shining with unshed tears. "It's all a risk, don't you see? Life is a risk, not just for us but for everyone. If you play it safe all the time, are you really living? The real question is; do you have the balls enough…do you love her enough to say 'fuck it' and take it?"
Her gaze moved to the other two shifters and her breath hitched, her eyes wide as they locked on Rudy. Paul's brow furrowed as he watched her for a beat and then he looked at his brother. "Shit," he whispered. Rudy looked like he'd been hit with a brick, dazed as he was. Paul arched a brow and caught Jared's attention, whose mouth was hanging open before he closed it just as his brows shot up.
Leah covered her mouth with a hand and smothered a sob as she shook her head slowly. "I—I can't," she choked. "I'm sorry—I just—can't." With that, she turned and ran.
Jared brought Rudy out of his stupor with a solid pat to the shoulder. "Well man, looks like you have your work cut out for you."
The screen door banged open and a frowning Seth shuffled out, his t-shirt sleeve rolled up off of his brand new, greased up tribal tattoo. "What the hell just happened?" He looked at the three speechless males. "What'd you guys do to my sister?"
Paul sighed and bumped the back of his head against the wall a couple of times before answering. "Your sister and my brother just…imprinted on each other; at least I think that's what happened. She didn't seem happy about it though." He glanced at his brother. "Sorry bro."
Rudy smiled bitterly. "It is what it is…"
Seth's eyes were wide. "Shit. That's like…permanent, right? That's what my dad said anyway." He shook his head and looked in the direction his sister had disappeared in. "Shit," he muttered again.
Paul turned his head and looked at the kid. "Exactly."
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